According to Chiappori and his co-researchers...physical and financial attractiveness trump all other factors in the marriage market, but if your appearance diverges from the ideal, specifically if you weigh more than is considered conventionally attractive, other factors can help you remain as attractive to a potential spouse as you were before.

For men, a 10 percent increase in body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing your weight by the square of your height, can be overcome by a 3 percent increase in income. A woman who weighs more can up her level of attractiveness with more education.

I find this to be very interesting. People who have money, or have high earning capacities, are often found to be attractive. For singles who want to have children, someone with high earning capacity is probably very attractive because of the financial security that person will provide. Why not give on the physical looks (which will fade anyways) and be with someone who is secure?